Protective guard for jewelry



1968 H. A. SPALDING 3,

PROTECTIVE GUARD FOR JEWELRY Filed May 9, 1967 INVENTOR HENRY A.SPALDING ATTORNEYS Unite States Patent Gce 3,405,428 Patented Oct. 15,1968 3,405,428 PROTECTIVE GUARD FOR JEWELRY Henry A. Spalding, 662Broadway St., Hazard, Ky. 41701 Filed May 9, 1967, Ser. No. 637,287 1Claim. (Cl. 24-905) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A protective guard forjewelry, particularly cufflinks, comprising a chain having a fastener onone end to be affixed to the jewelry and a snap fastener on the otherend to be affixed to the jewelry by looping the chain around part of anarticle of apparel associated therewith.

The present invention relates to a protective device for preventingpersonal items, such as jewelry, from being stolen or lost. Theinvention is described in connection with its application to a cufllinkand comprises a chain with a loop-type fastener affixed to both ends forconnection to the cuffiink by way of interlooping an edge of the cuffvia the cuffiink hole.

Either or both of the loop-type fasteners comprises a base or bodyportion having a spring biased plunger which interlocks to close thebase or body. In this manner, the device may be used expeditiously andserves as a protective guard against loss or theft.

The primary object of the invention is therefore to safeguard jewelry,such as cufiiinks, from accidental loss or theft.

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawingwherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention applied to a cufilinkin relation to a French-style cuff;

FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of the invention, per se, in attachmentto a cufflink;

FIG. 3 shows the snap fastener for one or both ends of the chain; and

FIG. 4 shows, in side elevation, a fragmentary view of the snap fastenersuitable for use for either or both ends of the chain.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, a French-stylecuff is indicated at 11 attached to a sleeve 13. The cuffiink 15includes, e.g. a pair of bars 17, connected to the cufflink fastener 19,which penetrates the cuffiink hole 21 and secures the cufiiink thereto.

The invention comprises the chain 23 which is sufficiently long as toextend from fastener 25, interlocking one of the bars 17, around theedge of cuff 11, and via hole 21 to one or the other of the bars 17,attaching thereto by the other fastener 27.

This construction is seen in FIG. 2 applied to cuffiink 15 without thecuff 11.

In FIG. 3, the snap fastener comprises a base or body 31, preferably oftubular or semi-tubular configuration having a slide or plunger 33normally biased to its closed position by spring 35 and includinglocking member 37. The lower or receiving portion of body 31 includes aJ-shaped slot 39 which is adapted to receive member 37 and lock the body31 in its closed position and another J-shaped slot 39 to lock the bodyin its open position.

This is best seen in FIG. 4 wherein slide 33 is biased to the closedposition with member 37 oriented to the extreme end of slot 39 therebyprecluding accidental openmg.

It may be appreciated that the body 31 may comprise a ring (of C-shape,oval, or other configuration), but it is preferably of the typedisclosed having the internal bores 41 and 43 for movement of plunger41.

It is possible to crimp fastener 25 about bar 17 and then use theopenable fastener of FIG. 3 for ready attachment to one of the bars 17by way of cufilink hole 21 to secure the cufilink 15 to cuff 11.

In any event, it is necessary that the chain 23 be sufficiently long asto interloop that portion of cuff 11 between the bar 17 and the edge ofthe cuff 11, by way of cufflink hole 21.

It will be appreciated that other types of jewelry in general may besafeguarded in the manner described. For example, single bar cuffiinksare readily gripped this way. Expensive jewelry may have or can havesoldered thereto safeguard rings for connection with the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A protective guard for use in connecting an item of jewelry to anarticle of apparel having an opening near an edge thereof comprising incombination an elongated linking means; means for connecting theelongated linking means to the item of jewelry; and a snap fastenerconnected to said elongated linking means remotely from said means forconnection to the jewelry and adapted to grip the item of jewelry withthe elongated linking means interlinking the apparel between the openingand edge thereof; said snap fastener including a generally C-shaped baseportion and a slidable opener telescopically slidable into the free endsthereof, said slidable opener having locking means thereon, and saidbase portion having a pair of opposed J-slots cooperating wit-h saidlocking means on said slidable opener for locking said slidable openerin closed and opened position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 275,537 4/1883 Straw 24-241647,714 4/1900 Baker 24-241 967,486 8/1910 Avery 24-241 1,189,467 7/1916Miller 24-905 1,293,948 2/1919 Seif 24-905 1,598,576 8/ 1926 Habenicht24-10 2 2,550,038 4/1951 Brown 24-239 XR DONALD A. GRIFFIN, PrimaryExaminer,

